Rotary jet engine



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.7.

Norris E. Smith INVENTOR.

Aug. 16, 1955 N. E. SMITH ROTARY JET ENGINE Filed March 19, 1952 N. E.SMlTH ROTARY JET ENGINE Filed March 19, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 82' Fig.2.80

Fig. 8. 3 Norris E. Smifh INVENTOR.

g- 16, 1955 N. E. SMITH 2,715,391

ROTARY JET ENGINE Filed March 19, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Norris E. SmithINVENTOR,

1 2 4 I8 BY MEM United 2,715,391 Patented Aug. 16, 1955 ROTARY JETENGINE Norris E. Smith, San Angelo, Tex., assignor of one-half toWestern Mattress Company, San Angelo, Tex., a partnership ApplicationMarch 19, 1952, Serial No. 277,341

4 Claims. (Cl. 123-43) This invention comprises novel and usefulimprovements in a rotary jet engine and more specifically pertains to ajet engine of either the pulse or continuous et type and which shallhave a minimum of moving parts.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improvedsimplified rotary engine of the jet type which shall be capable ofequally efficient operation from either a combustible mixture, or anyexpansible motive fluid.

A further important object of the invention is to provide an improvedmotor or jet engine wherein the jet chambers and jet nozzles arestationary and discharge the expansible gases into a surroundingexpansion chamber of the rotary member.

A further object of the invention is to provide a jet engine of thecharacter hereinbefore described which shall be provided with means forproducing a compressed supply of expansible gases for delivery to thejet chambers and discharged therefrom, and wherein the compressor meansshall be disposed centrally of and within the stator carrying the jetchambers.

A still further important object of the invention is to provide animproved sealing means for establishing a fluid tight sealing engagementbetween the rotor and stator members of the engine.

These, together with various ancillary features and objects of theinvention, which will later become apparent as the following descriptionproceeds are attained by the present invention, a preferred embodimentof which has been illustrated, by way of example only, in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is an end elevational view of one suitable embodiment ofapparatus incorporating therein the principles of this invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical central transverse sectional view through theapparatus of Figure 1, being taken substantially upon the planeindicated by the section line 2-2 of Figure 3;

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the apparatusof Figure 1 being taken substantially upon the plane indicated by thesection line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional detail view taken substantially uponthe plane indicated by the section line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a further fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyupon the plane indicated by the section line 55 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the apparatusas shown in Figure 2, but showing the parts in a different position andillustrating the manner in which the sealing vane of the stator passesthrough the rotary abutment of the rotor of the engine;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a radial sealing element of thecompressor assembly of the engine; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a rotary abutment forming part of theinvention.

In the accompanying drawings, like numerals designate similar partsthroughout the various views, Although the drawings illustrate a rotaryjet engine which is particularly adapted for the use of a combustiblemixture which is exploded in the jet chambers, it is to be understoodthat the invention is equally applicable -to any other pressure fluid ofan expansible character such as steam, compressed air or the like, andthat hereinafter the term expansible fluid is to be understood as beingemployed generally to designate any expansible motive fluid including acombustible mixture or combustion gases.

In the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the novel rotary jetengine in accordance with this invention comprises as its essential andmain elements a support generally indicated by the numeral 10, a rotordesignated generally by the numeral 12, and a stator indicated generallyby the numeral 14.

As shown more clearly in Figure 3, the support 10 may consist of aU-shaped frame having a base 18 with a pair of parallel upstandingsupport standards 20 rising therefrom in spaced relation, between whichis fixedly secured a supporting axle 22 removably retained as byfastening means 24 which are threaded upon the opposite ends of thesame. The axle 22 is preferably although not necessarily disposedhorizontally, and extends axially of the rotor and stator as set forthhereinafter.

Secured to one of the standards 20 upon the inside surface of the sameas by supporting pins 26 or the like, is a double pulley 28 for apurpose to be subsequently set forth. Encircling the axle 22 is atubular sleeve or bushing 30 which at one end abuts against the pulley28 and at the other end abuts against the hub portion of a circular diskor plate 32 forming a part or" the stator 14 and which in turn abutsagainst the inside surface of the other standard 29.

The plate 32 may be fixedly secured in non-rotative fashion to thestandard 20 if desired, or may be fixedly secured to the axle 22 if thelatter is held in a non-rotative manner with respect to the standards.In any event, it is intended that the plate 32 shall be stationary. Thehub portion 34 is rotatably received upon the bushing 30 and isrotatable with respect to the axis of the axle 22, regardless of whetherthe latter is stationary or rotatable, the hub 34 being rotatablyreceived between the adjacent surfaces of the stationary pulley 28 anddisk 32.

Extending radially outwardly from the hub 34 and from one side of thesame is a disk-like plate 36 which at its outer end is provided with acylindrical rim 38. The portion of the rotor between the hub 34 and therim 38 constitutes a cylindrical expansion chamber 40, see Figures 2, 4and 6. The plate 32 of the stator 14 is likewise provided at itsradially outer end with a cylindrical rim 42 which is received withinthe chamber and is spaced from the cylindrical wall of the same toprovide an annular compartment constituting the aforesaid expansionchamber 40.

A ring or annulus 44 is removably secured to the open side of the rotor12 for covering or closing the open side of the latter which is oppositeto the plate-like wall 36, this annulus being removably secured byfastening bolts 46 and overlying the radially outer portion of thestator 14, as clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4.

It will thus be apparent that the expansion chamber 40 is completelyenclosed by the cylindrical walls 38 and 42, and by the annular sidewalls 36 and 44, with the walls 33, 36 and 44 being rotatable, while thewall 42 is stationary.

As shown more clearly in Figure 2, it will be seen that the stator has apair of concentric inner and outer cylindrical walls 42 and 48. Withinthe wall 48 there is provided a pair of cylindrical compressor chambers51) and 52, which are separated by a radially extending partition 54.

Disposed between the cylindrical walls 42 and 48, are

the walls of a pair of jet chambers, which in the embodiment illustratedconstitute combustion chambers, each being indicated by the numeral 56.These chambers are disposed substantially tangentially of thecylindrical stator and rotor, and upon the periphery of the stator areprovided with exhaust outlet openings 58 which open into the expansionchamber 40. It will thus be seen that when an expansible gas such ascompressed air, steam, exhaust gases under pressure, or a combustiblemixture which is to be subsequently exploded in the jet chamber, isdischarged from the jet chamber through the exhaust outlet openings 58into the expansion chamber, the same will expand in the expansionchamber, and by means to be subsequently set forth will cause rotationof the rotor in which is disposed the expansion chamber.

As will now be readily apparent from Figure 2 in conjunction With Figure3, each of the compressor chambers and 52 will deliver its contents intoone of the jet chambers 56, from which the same will be discharged intothe expansion chamber. Obviously, any desired compressor means may bedisposed in the compressor chambers to effect this purpose, and thepresent invention is not limited to any type of compressor. However, asone means for suitably carrying out the principles of this invention,the compressor may be of the construction disclosed in Figure 2, wherebythere is integrally formed upon the hub of the rotor which extends intothe two compressor chambers 52 and 50, a cylindrical piston member eachof which is indicated by the numeral 60, which is disposed eccentricallyof the axis of its corresponding compressor chamber. Thus, as the rotorrevolves, the piston integral therewith or fixedly secured thereto willrotate eccentrically within the compressor chamber in rolling contactwith and in sealing engagement with the cylindrical walls of the same. Asealing means in the form of a radially disposed abutment or vane 62,see also Figure 7, is slidably received in a guide pocket 64 formed in ahousing extending between the walls 42 and 48, and is yieldingly urgedas by a spring means 66 radially inwardly of the compressor chamber andinto sealing engagement with the circumference of the rotary piston 60therein.

A spring controlled non return inlet valve means 68 admits theexpansible fluid mixture, which may be a carbureted mixture if desired,into the compressor chamber of each of the compressors, and thecompressed charge therein is discharged by way of a non returncompressed fluid discharge valve fitting 70 into the discharge conduit72 which communicates with a jet chamber 56 associated with thatcompressor.

As will be readily understood, each compressor thus delivers acompressed expansible mixture into one of v the jet chambers, and thismixture is discharged in the jet chamber at the remote end thereof fromthe exhaust outlet opening 58' previously mentioned. The expansiblefluid had a uniflow action without reversal during its path of travel tothe jet chamber and from the et chamber into the expansion chamber.

Since the operation of this type of compressor is generally understood,a further description and explanation of the same is believed to beunnecessary.

Where a combustible mixture is'delivered to the jet chamber, means areprovided, such as a spark plug 74 or any other suitable electricalignition device, as shown in Figure 5, this spark plug being positionedclosely adjacent the inlet of the passage 72, and between that inlet andthe outlet opening 58.

Referring now more specifically to Figures 2 and 6, it will be seen thateach of the jet chambers 56 is provided with a radially outwardlyextending sealing member 76 which has a flat terminal portion 78. Themember 76 bridges the space between the cylindricalwall 42 and thecylindrical wall formed by the cylindrical surface of the rotor 12, withthe terminal portion 78 slidably engaging that latter surface. 'Themember 76 thus con- 4 stitutes a partition which completely seals offthe expansion chamber on opposite sides thereof. This sealing member 76serves the primary function of a seal between the rotor and stator; thefurther purpose of a deflector for directing the exhaust backwardlyagainst the rotary abutment hereinafter described; and the still furtherpurpose of a scavenging means for driving the exhaust gases rearwardlyof the rotor with respect to its direction of rotation and towards theexhaust ports 89 A which vent the expansion chamber to the atmosphere inthe vicinity of the rotary abutment.

The rotor and expansion chamber are provided with a pair of housings 82in which are mounted the rotary abutments 84, the latter being in theform of cylindrical members as shown in Figure 8. These rotary abutmentsare fixedly secured to rotating axles 86 which are journaled in the sidewall 36 of the rotor and in the plate 34 as shown in Figure 3. Theserotary abutments extend completely across the expansion chamber andhavea sealing engagement with the stator by virtue of the sealing of therotary abutments in the pockets of the housings 82, and by reason ofengagement of the abutments with the periphery of the stator. Arcuaterecesses 88 extend longitudinally of the surface of the rotary abutmentsand constitute clearances by which the members 76 and 78 may pass theabutments when the latter are turned in proper synchronized relation tomovement of the rotor.

This timed movement of the abutment is obtained by providing each of theabutment shafts 86 with a driving pulley 9t) fixedly secured thereto,and each of these driving pulleys is secured as by a belt or chain drive92 with a double pulley 28 which is stationarily mounted on the standardas previously set forth. Thus, as the rotor revolves about the axis ofthe shaft 22, the rotary abutments will be rotated in synchronizedrelation therewith, and the timing is such that as the sealing member 76reaches the abutment, the same will pass through the properly positionedrecesses 88 therein.

It will now be apparent that the position and speed of rotation of therotor may be so timed with respect to rotation of the rotary abutmentsthat when the rotor travels in a counterclockwise direction as viewed inFigure 2, the lower jet chamber and its sealing member have just beenpassed by the lower rotary abutment, the expansible fluid beingdischarged from the lower jet chamber will react against the movingrotary abutment and the stationary sealing member 76, to thus urge theformer in a counterclockwise direction. During this travel, the gases inthe expansion chamber in advance of the sealing member 76 will becompressed against the upper rotary abutment and discharged through theupper exhaust port 80. At the same time, the upper jet chamber ischarged against the upper abutment and imparting a power thrust, whilethe upper jet chamber sealing member is forcing the exhaustgas'es to bedischarged through the lower exhaust port 80.

As indicated in full and dotted lines in Figure 2, the two eccentricallydisposed rotary pistons of the rotary compressors are offset at withrespect to each other for delivering expansible fluid to the respectivejet chambers.

Obviously any desired number of abutments and jet chambers may beemployed.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will bereadily understood and further explanation is believed to beunnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art after a consideration of theforegoing specification and accompanying drawings, it is not desired tolimit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, butall suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, fallingwithin the scope of the appended claims. 3

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A rotary engine comprising a support, a rotor mounted upon saidsupport for rotation about an axis and having an expansion chambertherein, a stator moun.- ed upon said support and disposed centrally ofsaid expansion chamber, said stator having a jet chamber therein with anexhaust outlet opening into said expansion chamber, a sealing vanecarried by said stator and having sealing engagement with the walls ofsaid expansion chamber, a rotary abutment mounted in said rotor andhaving sealing engagement with the walls of said expansion chamber andwith said stator, means for causing movement of said abutment past saidvane during rotation of said rotor and for supplying an expansiblemedium to said jet chamber, an exhaust port communicating said jetchamber with said expansion chamber in spaced relation to said abutment,said sealing vane causing discharge of exhaust gases from said expansionchamber in advance, rotationally, of said exhaust outlet opening, saidmeans for supplying an expansible medium comprising a compressordisposed within said stator.

2. A rotary engine comprising a support, a rotor mounted upon saidsupport for rotation about an axis and having an expansion chambertherein, a stator mounted upon said support and disposed centrally ofsaid expansion chamber, said stator having a jet chamber therein with anexhaust outlet opening into said expansion chamher, a sealing vanecarried by said stator and having sealing engagement with the walls ofsaid expansion chamber, a rotary abutment mounted in said rotor andhaving sealing engagement with the walls of said expansion chamber andwith said stator, means for causing movement of said abutment past saidvane during rotation of said rotor and for supplying an expansiblemedium to said jet chamber, an exhaust port communicating said jetchamber with said expansion chamber in spaced relation to said abutment,said sealing vane causing discharge of exhaust gases from said expansionchamber in advance, rotationally, of said exhaust outlet opening, saidmeans for supplying an expansible medium comprising a compressordisposed within said stator, and having conduits communicating with saidjet chamber at the end opposite the outlet opening.

3. A rotary engine comprising a support, a rotor mounted upon saidsupport for rotation about an axis and having an expansion chambertherein, a stator mounted upon said support and disposed centrally ofsaid expansion chamber, said stator having a jet chamber therein with anexhaust outlet opening into said expansion chamber, a sealing vanecarried by said stator and having sealing engagement with the walls ofsaid expansion chamber, a rotary abutment mounted in said rotor andhaving sealing engagement with the walls of said expansion chamber andwith said stator, means for causing movement of said abutment past saidvane during rotation of said rotor and for supplying an expansiblemedium to said jet chamber, an exhaust port communicating said jetchamber with said expansion chamber in spaced relation to said abutment,said sealing vane causing discharge of exhaust gases from said expansionchamher in advance, rotationally, of said exhaust outlet opening, saidmeans for supplying an expansible medium comprising a compressordisposed within said stator, said compressor comprising a cylindricalcompressor chamber in said stator, a cylindrical compressor piston insaid rotor and disposed eccentrically of said compressor chamber forrotation therein.

4. A rotary engine comprising a support, a rotor mounted upon saidsupport for rotation about an axis and having an expansion chambertherein, a stator mounted upon said support and disposed centrally ofsaid expansion chamber, said stator having a pair of juxtaposedcompressor chambers disposed concentrally of said expansion chamber andhaving a jet chamber operatively associated with each of said compressorchambers provided with exhaust outlets opening into said expansionchamber, said jet chambers being disposed at diametrically oppositepoints in said stator, a sealing vane carried by said stator adjacenteach of said exhaust openings and having sealing engagement with thewalls of said expansion chamber and with said stator, a pair ofdiametrically opposed rotary abutmeuts mounted in said rotor and havingsealing engagement with the walls of said expansion chamber and withsaid stator, a pair of cylindrical compressor pistons in said rotordisposed in eccentric relation within corresponding compressor chambers,the axis of eccentricity of said pistons being disposed in diametricallyopposed relation with respect to the axis of rotation of said rotor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS731,425 Benson June 23, 1903 973,064 Paul Oct. 18, 1910 1,717,610McCarthy June 18, 1929 1,766,005 Sullivan June 24, 1930 1,919,355Bancroft July 25, 1933

